Passage 1 The
horse and carriage is a thing of the past, but love and marriage are still with
us and still closely interrelated. Most American marriages, particularly first
marriages {{U}}(1) {{/U}} young couples, are the result of mutual
attraction and affection {{U}}(2) {{/U}} than practical considerations.
In the United States, parents do not arrange marriages for their children.
Teenagers begin {{U}}(3) {{/U}} in high school and usually find mates
through their own academic and social contacts. Though young people feel free to
choose their friends from {{U}}(4) {{/U}} groups, most choose a mate of
similar background. This is due in part to parental guidance. Parents cannot
select spouses for their children, but they can usually {{U}}(5) {{/U}}
choices by voicing disapproval of someone they consider unsuitable.
{{U}}(6) {{/U}}, marriages between members of different groups
(interclass, interfaith, and interracial marriages) are increasing, probably
because of the greater {{U}}(7) {{/U}} of today's youth and the fact
that they are restricted by fewer prejudices than their parents. Many young
people leave their home towns to attend colleges, {{U}}(9) {{/U}} in the
armed forces, or pursue a career in the bigger cities. Once away from home and
family, they are more {{U}}(9) {{/U}} to date and marry outside their
own social group. In mobile American society, interclass
marriages are neither rare nor shocking. Interfaith marriages are on the rise
particularly between Protestants and Catholics. On the other hand, interracial
marriage is still very uncommon. It can be difficult for interracial couples to
find a place to live, maintain friendships, and {{U}}(10) {{/U}} a
family. Marriages between people of different national origin (but the same race
and religion) have been commonplace here since colonial times.
【答案解析】本题测试近义动词。date意为“约会”;appointment意为“约会,约定”,通常构成have/make an appointment with somebody结构,意为“与某人约会”;engagement意为“婚约,订婚”;match意为“相配,结婚”。本句话并不是have/make an appointment with somebody结构,所以选用B不对;根据后面的find mates(寻找伴侣)可知,所填之词表示的意思应该在“寻找伴侣”之前,而C、D表示的意思是在“寻找伴侣”之后,所以选用C、D不对。应该选用date。